Safety and security for fieldwork / in-situ research

Introduction

Key terms: safety and security, complex or dangerous fieldwork or in-situ research, being well prepared, risk assessment, research ethics, introductory course, relevant for students in any PhD phase.

ECTS: 1,5
Number of session: 3
Hours per session: 5 (online) - 8 (offline)

This course aims to equip researchers with the knowledge, tools and ethical frameworks necessary to conduct fieldwork or in-situ research in complex, hazardous, remote environments or with vulnerable populations in an ethical, secure, and safe manner.

The course focuses on identifying and assessing risks, preparing for potential threats, and responding effectively when risks materialise. It addresses challenges such as political instability, health hazards, digital threats and interactions with vulnerable communities. A core question guiding the course is: How can researchers conduct fieldwork/in-situ research ethically and securely without compromising the integrity of the research or the safety of all involved?

This is a two-and-a-half-day course, structured around multiple sessions that unfold across the full duration of the programme. Each session builds on the previous one, combining conceptual input with practical application and group-based learning.

Through a combination of lectures, group discussions and individual exercises, participants will engage with real-world scenarios and gain practical strategies. Attendance of the full course and the completion of preparatory reading are mandatory. Active participation is required throughout the sessions.

This course was awarded with the prize for Best EGSH Course of 2021 for assisting researchers in conducting their research as ethically, safely, securely and methodologically sound as possible, both for those working within their home country, or as foreigners.

Entry level and relevance

No prior experience or specialist knowledge is required to participate in the course.

The course is designed primarily for PhD researchers, academic staff and managers who facilitate research processes, especially those involving fieldwork. It is also open to Master’s students who are conducting in-situ/field-based research projects. It is interdisciplinary and suitable for researchers across various academic fields.

PhD students can attend the course at any stage of their trajectory. Whether they are in the early planning phase or have already conducted data collection, the course offers practical tools and ethical frameworks that can support their ongoing and future research.

Relations with other courses

While the course focuses on the safety, security and ethical dimensions of research, it also covers important methodological considerations. These include conducting interviews, collecting and managing data, and analysing field-based information.

Therefore, the course complements and reinforces the content of other methodological courses within the EGSH curriculum. It works well alongside courses that focus on qualitative methods, research design and data analysis. Students may attend those courses either before or after our course.

Together, these courses contribute to a more holistic understanding of the practical, ethical and methodological aspects of conducting research in the field.

Sessions and preparations
 

Session 1: Framing research security and ethics
This session introduces the conceptual foundations of safety and security in research. It explores the role of risk management frameworks and ethical responsibilities in shaping safe research environments. Particular emphasis is placed on why it is methodologically and ethically necessary to integrate considerations of safety, vulnerability and power dynamics into research design and practice. These concerns are not only practical, but fundamentally shape what kind of knowledge can be produced, and how. 
Preparations: participants will be required to read the syllabus and a set of key preparatory texts one week before the start of the course. Further guidance and instructions will be provided at the start of the course.

Session 2: Positionality, risk assessment and planning
Focusing on the researcher’s positionality, this session links personal and contextual risks with broader methodological decisions. Participants will engage with principles of risk assessment and develop security planning skills through structured exercises. Theoretical implications of risk awareness in fieldwork will be critically examined.
Preparations: preparatory materials are listed in the course syllabus.

Session 3: Fieldwork threats and methodological integrity
This session addresses specific risks such as conflict, illness, crime, disasters, detention and interpersonal violence, with a focus on their methodological consequences. Strategies for responding to aggression and maintaining researcher and respondent safety are introduced, blending practical guidance with ethical analysis. 
Preparations: no additional preparation is needed beyond the assigned reading.

Session 4: Wellbeing, mental health and sensitive interviewing
This session addresses the emotional and psychological dimensions of fieldwork, focusing on the wellbeing of researchers and the challenges of working in high-stress or emotionally charged contexts. Stress management strategies and mental health awareness will be discussed alongside interviewing techniques for engaging ethically with vulnerable or traumatized populations. Methodological considerations for ensuring care, respect and researcher sustainability are central. 
Preparations: no additional preparation is needed beyond the assigned reading.

Session 5: Logistics, mobility and research continuity
Participants will critically assess logistical aspects of fieldwork, including transport, checkpoints and interactions with authorities. Risk-aware planning will be discussed as a methodological concern that shapes research continuity and access. A group exercise will apply these concepts to real-world scenarios. 
Preparations: readings are required as indicated in the syllabus.

Session 6: Digital security and the research process
This session explores cybersecurity as an essential dimension of contemporary research ethics. It examines data protection, digital vulnerability and institutional responsibilities through both theoretical discussion and group activities. 
Preparations: no further preparation is required beyond the core readings.

Session 7: Crisis response and contingency thinking
The final session integrates course themes through the lens of contingency planning and institutional preparedness. Methodological resilience and researcher responsibility are emphasized. A simulation exercise offers participants a structured opportunity to apply key insights. 
Preparations: required reading will be provided in advance via the syllabus.